Sunday, August 3, 2008


Ocean Waves 8

Oil on board, 6" x 6"
$125.00 + $6.00 shipping in US.
SOLD

I'm sure you have had this experience: While standing at the shore and watching the sun's flickering dance on the water, I am sometimes overwhelmed with the feeling that everything--sky/water/sand--is fusing into one. And me along with it.

I like a dramatic seascape with thundering waves and turbulent skies as much as the next person. But in this series I have been trying to depict the ocean's more subtle, tranquil moods. The impossible goal: to convey the immensity and infinite, mystical power of the sea by paring down to the most basic of elements: sky/water/sand.

14 comments:

CAROL cmcpaints@aol.com said...

The serene mood of this one is lovely. You have portrayed it well.

A Reason to Paint said...

Don the sparkle on the water, the shadow in the wave and the wetness in the sand is done to perfection. Beautiful work!

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Carol.

Don Gray said...

Thank you, Triecia.

Jason Waskey said...

Having dinked around a bit on the Oregon coast, I think you nailed it perfectly.


Unless it's some other coast (like California or Washington), in which case, I have to say itlooks too much like the Oregon coast...

I also particularly like the the curved sand foreground-- great solution to what otherwise can be a *really* static horizontal flow.

Cooper Dragonette said...

Love it Don! Such a wonderful, simple moment but I could look at this for a long time. Might have to go to my beach this afternoon!

Todd Bonita said...

Absolutley perfect! Triecia has it right on the money. Fabulous mood here too Don.

All the best,
Todd

Don Gray said...

Hi Jason,
Well...it's actually the California shore...but I'm a native Oregonian, so that obviously influenced my treatment of it :) Thanks for your thoughts.

Don Gray said...

Cooper, thanks for the visit and kind words. We're about 350 miles from the shore now, so I envy your proximity to the beach--wish I could join you!

Don Gray said...

Todd, always good to hear from you--thanks.

Deborah Paris said...

You have definitely portrayed a transcendent moment Don- beautiful work.

Don Gray said...

Thanks a lot, Deborah. Those recent paintings of yours are looking pretty transcendent too.

Mark Adams said...

Don, I have to chime in with the rest of the gang here to say Bravo! I love everything about this piece but most of all the sand. It even appears that you signed the painting by scratching your name in the wet sand with a piece of driftwood.

Don Gray said...

Mark--you're very kind--thanks for those thoughts. How did you know I carved my name with driftwood? A very very tiny piece, of course!